SRU music department offers masterclass by Cynthia Hansell-Bakic

SPOTLIGHT

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -Cynthia Hansell-Bakic, American-Croatian soprano and professor of voice at the Academy in Zagreb, Croatia, will present a vocal masterclass at 3 p.m. Saturday in Slippery Rock University's Swope Music Hall.

Hansell-Bakic was born in Arlington, Va., and went on to an opera performance career singing in the major opera houses of Europe. In addition to the masterclass at SRU, in which numerous voice students will perform, Hansell-Bakic will speak about her life path, European career and family.

She earned her bachelor of arts degree in music and performance at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston where she performed as a soloist with the chorus and with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

She has performed with such conductors as Seijii Ozawa, Zubin Mehta, Erich Leinsdorf, Sir Colin Davis, Michael Tilson Thomas, Eugene Ormandy and others. She has performed at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, where she was awarded the yearly scholarship for foreign students given by the Republic of Austria. She has also performed in the famous Dubrovnik Summer Festival and with the Opera of Split, Croatia, where she was signed to a long-term contract.

Hansell-Bakic joined the Academy of Music in Zagreb in 1990 to teach voice, interpretation and stage presence. She has also released a number of CD, including her latest solo album "La voix humaine," a mono opera by Francis Poulenc with text by Jean Cocteau. The release was awarded CD of the Year honors in the classical music category for both for content and graphic design.

Colleen Gray, assistant professor of music, is the program's organizer.

Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania's premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.